Safety-shutter.



G. W. LANCSTER.

SAFETY SIHUTTER. APPLICATION FILED Nov.2l4. 1914.

v Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

7. Q/jl Q1. WL micasff/f G. W. LANCASTER.

SAFETY SHUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.24. |914.

yPatented Apr. 11, 1916.`

G. W. LANCASTER.

SAFETY SHUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.24.1914.

1, 179,328. Patented. Api. 11, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

GEORGE W. LANCASTER, 0F RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

SAFETY-stromen.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr.f1l, 1916.

Application led November 24, 1914. Serial No. 873,791. Y

To all 'u fwm 'it 'may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE W. LAN- '.\s'r1:u, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certainy new `and useful Improvements in Safety-Shutters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relatesto improvements in shutters and resides in the provision of an attachment comprisingT a frame that is to be secured to a window frame in such manner that it may be easily swung into and outof operative position 'and locked in operative position, vertically movable shuttersbeing mounted within the frame, also a screen arranged in the rear of the shutters.l

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide easily operable and effective means for locking each of the shutters in operative position, said means being operable from the inside of the window and serving incombination with the shutters, which are preferably constructedof metal to provide a burglar proof window and prevent breakingor cracking of the panes by high winds.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described which willlbe fireproof, when locked in operating position, permitventilation and at the same time prevent entrance of rain into the room.

Another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive and effective safety shutter in the forli-Lof an attachment that may be easily and quickly attached to a window frame of the ordinary construction without necessitating any material change in the construction of the frame to which it is attached. v

Another and more specific'object is to Y.

.provide a shutter which includes a plural- -ity--of vertically movable slats and notched supporting elements for the slats, the slats to vbe pulled upwardly upon the notch supporting elements so constructed that when allowed to drop each slat will catch ata predetermined point upon the supporting element therefor and rest in forwardly and outwardly inclined position in equal spaced relation to the other slats.

The above and additional objectsl are acconiplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described W ith reference tothe drawings, wherein i vlv have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention.r as it is reduced to practice, and throughout the several views of which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved device showing it attached to a Window, Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the frame forthe shutter with one of the side plates removed showing the shutter construction and locking mechanism in position, Fig. 3 is a hori. zontal sectional view showing the supporting mechanism for the slats of the shutter and lockingfmeans therefor, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 'through the top of the window and shutter frame, showing a part of the operating means therefor, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the lower part of the' window and shutter frame showing the means for operating the locking means on the inside of the window, Fig. G is a Side elevation of a slightl y modified form of m invention showing it broken away, Fig. ff is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the modified forn1,and Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the type of slat used in the modified form. v

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, A designates as an entirety a window frame`of the ordinary construction to which is secured my improved safety shutter designated B as an entirety.

The. safety shutter B comprises a rectangular metallic frame 1 that is hingedly secured as at 2 to the window frame A, the hinges being arranged upon the inside so that removal thereof from the outside of the window is prevented. The frame 1 comprises vertical side bars 3 and 4that are joined at their ends by top and bottom bars 5 and G. The bars 3 and 4 are preferably channel-shaped in cross section and have i and 4 of the frame 1 are a plurality of metallic shutter slats 7 that are disposed in a. horizontal plane and arranged to,be moved upwardly in engagement with one another at the upper end of the frame. Each of the shutter slats 7 is crimped longitudinally to provide reinforcing ribs 8.

The ends of the slats 7 are'disposed within the U-shaped side bars 3 and 4 and are supported by suitable-means which will be later more fully described. I provide a vertical guide rod 9 -that is secured at its ends -to the bars 5 and 6 to the frame and extends through an elongated opening 10 formed in'each of the slats 7. This rod 9 insures the slats moving into proper relative positions and prevents sticking thereof in their'sliding movement up or down.

Mounted within each of the side bars 3 and 4 is means to support the slats of the shutter which comprises a notched supportplate 11. The side edges of the plate 11 are provided with notches forming supporting shoulders 12 and 13. The shoulders 12 on the forward edge of the plate 11 are disposed lower than the shoulders 13 on the inner edge of the plate and both shoulders are inclined forwardly and downwardly so that the slats will be similarlyl disposed as will be later more fully described. Suitable brackets 14 serve to secure the plates 11 to thebars 4 and 5 in spaced relation to the several walls of the bars. Each of the plates 11 decreases in width from its lower to its upper ends. Each of the slats 7 is provided adjacent to its ends on opposite sides with inwardly extending recesses 15 which pro- .vides extensions 16 that are slidable within the opposed faces of the bars 3 and 4.

The uppermost slat 7 is provided with recesses'18 in the ends thereof, that are of such size as to engage the shoulders 12 and 13 at the uppermost part of the plate 11 and the uppermost slat is prevented moving downwardly. The next lower slat 7 has larger --recessgs 18 in the ends thereof and is designed Roperate with the next lower pair of shoulders 12 and 13. This next lower- .most plate is permitted to be pulled upwardly from its normal position in spaced relation to, the uppermost plate, into engagement with the uppermost plate. The lowermost of the slats 7 is designed to be moved upwardly free of the shoulders 12 and 13 and is limited in its downward movement by the lowermost pair of. shoulders 12 and 13 only. It will thus be seen that the slats may be pulled upwardly on the plates 11 into engagement with one another but when allowed to drop, each slat will be prevented further downward movement at a predetermined point so that the slats 7 are equi- -distantly spaced and inclined forwardly and downwardly.

As a means for pullingl up the shutters, pull cables or cords 19 and 20 are mounted on pulleys 21 carried in the upper ends of the bars 3 and 4 of the frame, extend down- -Jhead 30 of the rod 29.

:rimase wardly in the bars 3 and 4 respectively and are secured at their lower ends to securing plates 22 carried on the lowerm'ost of the slats 7 and at the ends thereof. The cables are extended from the pulleys 21 horizontally within the upper frame bar 5 and around pulleys 23 carried centrally of the ends of the bar 5 and disposed `in a horizontal plane. The cables after passing around the pulleys 23- extend inwardly horizontally and are mounted upon pulleys 24 carried upon the inner portion of the window frame A adjacent the top thereof and are allowed to hang from the pulleys 24 so that ready access -thereto may be had to effect the raising or lowering of the shutters. By grasping and pulling the cables 19 and 20 the slats of the shutters will be lifted upwardly Aand upon releasing of the cable, each slat within each of the bars 3 and 4 whichconsists of a vertical rotary shaft 27 which carries a plurality of'L-shaped locking arms 28.- An arm is provided for each of the slats and arranged so that when the shaft is rotated in a certain direction, it will be moved over and in engagement with the adjacent end of the slats 7. It will thus be seen that' i block 33 in the lower en d of the bar 3 of the frame and is provided with a squared enlarged head 34 to extend within the recessed The shaft 32 is provided with an upstanding crank arm 35 that is connected by means of a horizontally disposed plate l36 with the rotary shaft 27 When the rod 29 is turned rotation of the shaft 27 is had through the medium of the shaft 32, crank 35-and plate 36 carried by the shaft 27. lt will thus be seen that the slats may be easily 'locked and unlocked from the interior of the frame A.

With referenceto the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it will he seenthat I have provided a safety shutter attachment for wlndows that will be fireprof and burglarproof and which may be i easily moved bodily into and out of opera- Referring particularly to Figs. 7 and 8 wherein I' have illustrated a modified form of the invention, the shuttersare particularly designed for use in connection with double windows, a duplicate shutter arrangement being placed upon the lower shutters. The slats 37 are mounted in a rectangular frame consisting of vertical side bars 38 of substantially the same formation as the preferred.y form and locking means designated 39 as an entirety is provided for the slats, said locking means being the same as in the preferred form. I provide guide plates 40 and 41d. The plate 41 is disposed at its lower larger end adjacent to the upper smaller end of the plate 40 and both of these plates are duplicates of the plates 11 in the preferred form and are provided with the shoulders 42. It has been found in order to confine the size of the slats for the shutters to an extent so as to render them capable of use in various kinds of windows, two sets of slats should be arranged one above the other when an extra high window is to be equipped.-

To accommodate the slats of the lower plate 40 for sliding upwardly upon the upper plates 41, the slats 37 on the lower plate 40, are provided adjacent to their ends with transverse elongated slots 43 which are greater in length than the greatest width of the plates 41 and arranged to slidably receive the plates 41. The upper plates 40 are offset inwardly and have their lower ends spaced from the upper ends of the plates 40 so as to extend into the slots 43.

In practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated in the drawings and referred to in the above description, the preferred embodiment, is the most effi-- cient and practical; yet realizingv that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various m'inor changes in details 'of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, as set forth.

What is claimed is 1. In safety shutters, a frame, a plurality of shutter slats, upstanding -supporting plates, shoulders carried by said supporting plates, said slats mounted upon the supporting plates and engaging the shoulders thereon and arranged to be moved upwardly on said plates, said supportingr plates increasingdin width toward their ower ends, said slats having recesses of varying widths to coperate with the plates and engaging the shouldersthereon, whereby each slat rests upon the shoulders at a predetermined point. 2. In safety shutters, a frame,'a plurality of shutter slats, upstanding supporting plates, shoulders carried by saldsupporting plates, said slats mounted upon the supporting plates and engagingthe shoulders thereon and arranged to be moved vupwardly on said plates, said supporting plates increas-y ing in width toward their lower ends, said slats having recesses of varying widths to coperate with the plates and engaging thel shoulders thereon, whereby ,each slat rests upon the shouldrrs onthe plates at a predetermined point and the slats are equidistantly spaced from one another, and

means to lock the slats in operative position.

3. In safety shutters, a frame, a plurality of vertically adjustable shutter slats, means to slidably support the shutter carried by the frame, means to move the slats upwardly in the frame, and means to lock the slats in operative position including'a rotary shaft and locking arms carried by the shaft and alrranged to engage the upper faces of the s ats.

4. In safety shutters, the combination with a frame includmg upstanding hollow members, of a plurality of vertically adjustable shutter slats having their ends disposed within the hollow members, supporting plates carried within the hollow members, shoulders on the supporting plates, said slats having recesses in the ends thereof to receive said plates, said shoulders engaging and supporting the slats, rotary shafts within thehollow members and locking arms carried by the'shafts arranged to engage the slats on the upper faces thereof to lock them 1n operative position.

5. A safety shutter comprising a plurality of vertically adjustable slats, upstanding slat supports increasing in width toward their lower ends and staggered shoulders on the vertical edges of the supports, said slats having openlngs of varying widths therein to receive said supports.

6. A safety shutter comprising a plurality of slats, slidable upwardly and downwardly to open and close the shutter, relatively fixed means for supporting the slats'in their closed position, said means spacing the slats from one another to provlde Ventilating openings throughout the entire length of thev shutter when the latter is closed and means for engaging the upper faces of the slats for locking the same against the said. supporting means to hold the slats against upward movement.

7. A safety shutter of the class described including relatively fiat slats provided attheir end portions with recesses formed directly in the slats, said slats being slidable upwardly and downwardly to open and close the shutter, means for engagmg the said recesses to guide the slats in their upward and downward movement, and relatively fixed means arranged at intervals for supporting the slats 1n their closed position, said means being arranged to space the slats from one another to provide ventilating openings throughout the entire length of the shutter when the latter is closed.

8. A safety shutter including slats having recesses in the ends thereof and opposite recesses iny the sides of the same, means for engaging the. side recesses for guiding the slats in an upward and downward direction and means operating in the end recesses for supporting the slats in spaced relation when at the limit of their downward movement.

9. A safety shutter including slats having recesses in their ends and providecl'also with transversely extending openlngs, means for guiding the slats in an upward and downward direction and means operating in the said recesses and openings for supporting the slats in spaced relation when at the limit of their downward movement.

10. A safety shutterfcomprising a plurality ofslats adjustable upwardly and downwardly to open and close the shutter and relatively fixed seats arranged in pairs for supporting the slats in their closed position, the pairs of seats being spaced apart to provide Ventilating openings throughout the entire length of the shutter when the latter is closed and the members of each pair of seats being located at opposite sides of the median plane of the slats. p

11. A safety shutter comprising a plurality of slats adjustable upwardly and downwardly to open and close the shutter and relatively fixed seats arranged in pairs for supporting the slats in their closed po'- v sition, the pairs of seats being spaced apart to provide Ventilating openings throughout the entire length of the shutter when the latter is closed, and the members of each i unimaas and relatively fixed seats arranged in pairs for supporting the slats in their closed position, the pairs of seats being spaced apart to provide Ventilating openings through the entire length of tlie shutter when the latter `is\ closed, the members of'each pair being located at different elevations to set the slats at an inclination, and locking means for engaging the upper faces ofthe slats for holding the same in their closed position.

13. A safety shutter of the class described comprising a plurality of slats slidable upwardly and downwardly to open and close the shutter, guides extending along the shutter for guiding the slats in their sliding movement and spaced seats arranged in pairs for supporting the slats in their closed position and in spaced relation to provide Ventilating openings throughout the entire length of the shutter, the members of each pair of seats'being located at opposite sides of the guides.

14. A safety shutter of the class described comprising al plurality of slats slidable upwardly and downwardly tov open a/n/d close the shutter, guides extending along the shutter for guiding the slats 1n their sliding movement and spaced seats arranged in pairs for supporting the slats in their closed position and in spaced relation to provide Ventilating openings throughout the entire length of the shutter, the members of each pair of seats being located at opposite sides of the guides, and means for engaging each of the slats at the upper face thereof for locking the slats upon the seats, the shoulders or seats of each pair are located at opposite sides of the median plane of each slat so that the latter is firmly supported in its closed position.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. LANCASTER.

Witnesses:

F. M. BAXLEY, I. lL. DAVIS. 

